Child Lied About Man Who Accosted Her Outside School, Cops Say

BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Police Department says a 9-year-old girl's story about a man who tried to entice her into his car outside Sea Breeze Elementary School Tuesday just didn't add up. The agency confirmed Wednesday evening that the girl, who is not being named, "admitted to making the story up."

No further details are being released at this time.

Earlier: The Bradenton Police Department is asking for help identifying a man its officers say attempted to entice a child into his car on Tuesday.

According to the agency, a Sea Breeze Elementary School student was approached by a man driving a white, four-door vehicle on Dec. 20. As the 9-year-old girl was walking in the 3600 block of 71st Street West, near the school, the man is accused of opening the front passenger side door of his car and offering her “treats or goodies.”

The girl ran to the school instead, an email from the police department said.

Police are now looking for the vehicle, which is believed to possibly be a Toyota. The girl described the car as a newer model, but said it was dirty. The man wanted for questioning is believed to be a Hispanic male in his 20s. He is tall and heavyset, police said, and has dark hair and no facial hair. The man had a slight Spanish accent and was last seen wearing a dark colored shirt and red ball cap. The driver may also have a tattoo on the inside of his left forearm, the email noted.

Anyone with information about the man’s identity is asked to call the police department at 841-932-9300 or Det. Michael Page at 941-932-9314.

No further information is available at this time.

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